superficial
(of a person) never thinking about things that are serious or important
He's fun to be with, but he's very superficial.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
superficial
su‧per‧fi‧cial /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl◂ $ -pər-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: superficialis, from Latin superficies 'surface', from facies 'face']
1. NOT LOOKING/STUDYING CAREFULLY not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things
superficial examination/study etc
Even a superficial inspection revealed serious flaws.
Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.
2. APPEARANCE seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real
superficial resemblance/similarity
Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are, in fact, very different.
Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.
at/on a superficial level
At a superficial level, things seem to have remained the same.
3. WOUND/DAMAGE affecting only the surface of your skin or the outside part of something, and therefore not serious:
She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.
superficial damage
4. PERSON someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important – used to show disapproval SYN shallow:
All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.
5. NOT IMPORTANT superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect SYN minor:
superficial changes in government policies
6. TOP LAYER existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
superficial
super·fi·cial [ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃl] [ˌsjuːpəˈfɪʃl] [ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃl] adjective
1. (often disapproving) not studying or looking at sth thoroughly; seeing only what is obvious
• a superficial analysis
• The book shows only a superficial understanding of the historical context.
2. appearing to be true, real or important until you look at it more carefully
• superficial differences/similarities
• When you first meet her, she gives a superficial impression of warmth and friendliness.
3. (of a wound or damage) only affecting the surface and therefore not serious
• a superficial injury
• superficial burns
4. (disapproving) not concerned with anything serious or important and lacking any depth of understanding or feeling
Syn: shallow
• a superficial friendship
• The guests engaged in superficial chatter.
• She's so superficial!
5. (technical) of or on the surface of sth
• superficial veins
• a superficial deposit of acidic soils
Derived Words: superficiality ▪ superficially
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from late Latin superficialis, from Latin superficies, from super- ‘above’ + facies ‘face’.
Example Bank:
• The movie bears a fairly superficial resemblance to the original novel.
• Superficial similarities can be deceptive.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
superficial / ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ. ə l / / -pɚ- / adjective disapproving (NOT SERIOUS)
C2 (of a person) never thinking about things that are serious or important:
He's fun to be with, but he's very superficial.
superficiality / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ɪ.ti / / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ə.t̬i / noun [ U ]
superficially / -i / adverb
C2
The job I've been offered is superficially (= seems to be) attractive/appealing, but I think I might find it boring after a while.
Religious education is poorly and superficially taught in most schools.
superficial / ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ. ə l / / -pɚ- / adjective usually disapproving (NOT COMPLETE)
C2 not complete and involving only the most obvious things:
I thought that article was written at a very superficial level.
The documentary's treatment/analysis of the issues was very superficial.
I only have a superficial (= slight) knowledge of French.
superficiality / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ɪ.ti / / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ə.t̬i / noun [ U ]
superficially / -i / adverb
C2
The job I've been offered is superficially (= seems to be) attractive/appealing, but I think I might find it boring after a while.
Religious education is poorly and superficially taught in most schools.
superficial / ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ. ə l / / -pɚ- / adjective (FALSE APPEARANCE)
appearing to be real or important when this is not true or correct:
There are superficial similarities between the two cars, but actually they're quite different in terms of performance.
superficiality / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ɪ.ti / / -ˌfɪʃ.iˈæl.ə.t̬i / noun [ U ]
superficially / -i / adverb
C2
The job I've been offered is superficially (= seems to be) attractive/appealing, but I think I might find it boring after a while.
Religious education is poorly and superficially taught in most schools.
superficial / ˌsuː.pəˈfɪʃ. ə l / / -pɚ- / adjective (ONLY ON SURFACE)
only on the surface of something:
superficial damage
The driver only received superficial injuries/cuts/wounds.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
superficial
[su͟ːpə(r)fɪ̱ʃ(ə)l]
1) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as superficial, you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important.
This guy is a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever...
The tone of his book is consistently negative, occasionally arrogant, and often superficial.
Derived words:
superficiality [su͟ːpə(r)fɪʃiæ̱lɪti] N-UNCOUNT oft N of n He hated the superficiality, the neon glamour and the cheap prettiness of life in L.A.
superficially ADV-GRADED ADV after v Hill cannot write badly or superficially; his characters and plotting are, as usual, admirable.
2) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something such as an action, feeling, or relationship as superficial, you mean that it includes only the simplest and most obvious aspects of that thing, and not those aspects which require more effort to deal with or understand.
Their arguments do not withstand the most superficial scrutiny...
His roommate had been pleasant on a superficial level...
Father had no more than a superficial knowledge of music.
Derived words:
superficiality N-UNCOUNT oft N of n His assessment only serves to demonstrate the superficiality of the judgements we make when we first meet people.
superficially ADV-GRADED ADV with v The film touches on these difficult questions, but only superficially.
3) ADJ-GRADED Superficial is used to describe the appearance of something or the impression that it gives, especially if its real nature is very different.
Despite these superficial resemblances, this is a darker work than her earlier novels...
Spain may well look different but the changes are superficial.
Derived words:
superficially ADV-GRADED ADV with cl/group, ADV with v Many of these killers are frequently glib and superficially charming... Superficially there have been many changes in Britain in recent years.
4) ADJ-GRADED Superficial injuries are not very serious, and affect only the surface of the body. You can also describe damage to an object as superficial.
The 69-year-old clergyman escaped with superficial wounds...
The explosion caused superficial damage to the fortified house.
Syn:
slight
5) ADJ: ADJ n The superficial layers of the skin are the ones nearest the surface. [MEDICAL]
...superficial blood vessels in the forearm.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
superficial
su·per·fi·cial /ˌsuːpɚˈfɪʃəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : concerned only with what is obvious or apparent : not thorough or complete
• a superficial analysis of the results/data
• They had a superficial knowledge/understanding of the topic.
• These superficial changes/solutions don't address the underlying problem.
2 a : affecting only the outer part or surface of something : not deep or serious
• superficial wounds/cuts
• The storm only caused superficial damage to the building.
b : lying close to the surface
• superficial veins
3
- used to describe a quality, characteristic, etc., that can be seen in the outward appearance or manner of something or someone but that is not deep or genuine
• Despite a superficial resemblance, the paintings are by two different artists.
• These similarities/differences are only superficial.
• Don't be deceived by his superficial charm.
• On a superficial level, his theory works, but the facts don't support it.
4 disapproving : not caring about or involving important matters or deep emotions
• He thinks she's vain and superficial. [=shallow]
• I'm not interested in superficial relationships.
- su·per·fi·ci·al·i·ty /ˌsuːpɚˌfɪʃiˈæləti/ noun [noncount]
• the superficiality of pop culture
- su·per·fi·cial·ly /ˌsuːpɚˈfɪʃəli/ adv
• Superficially, at least, the two paintings are similar.
